Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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VARIABLE TISSUE COMPRESSION WITH AN ANVIL CONFIGURATION
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to surgical fastener applying
apparatus. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to a tool assembly for use with a
surgical fastener
applying apparatus, and methods of manufacturing the same, to apply a
plurality of surgical
fasteners to tissue with varying compressive forces.
2. Backeround of the Related Art
[0003] Many varieties of surgical fastener applying apparatus are known in
the art, some
of which are specifically adapted for use in various surgical procedures
including, but not limited
to, end-to-end anastomosis, circular end-to-end anastomosis, open
gastrointestinal anastomosis,
endoscopic gastrointestinal anastomosis, and transverse anastomosis. Suitable
examples of
apparatus which may be used during the course of these procedures can be seen
in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,915,616; 6,202,914; 5,865,361; and 5,964,394.
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[0004] In general, a surgical fastener applying apparatus will include an
anvil that is
approximated relative to a surgical fastener cartridge during use. The anvil
includes depressions
that are aligned with, and/or are in registration with, slots defined in the
surgical fastener
cartridge, through which the surgical fasteners will emerge. To effectuate
formation, the surgical
fasteners emerge from the surgical fastener cartridge and are driven against
the anvil. The
surgical fastener cartridge typically has one or more rows of surgical
fasteners that are disposed
laterally outward of a slot that is configured to accommodate a knife, or
other such cutting
element, such that tissue can be simultaneously severed and joined together at
a cut-line.
Depending upon the particular surgical fastener applying apparatus, the rows
of fasteners may be
arranged in a linear, non-linear, e.g. circular, semi-circular, or other
configuration.
[0005] Various types of surgical fasteners are well known in the art
including, but not
limited to, unitary fasteners and two¨part fasteners. Unitary fasteners
generally include a pair of
legs that are adapted to penetrate tissue and connected by a backspan from
which they extend. In
use, subsequent to formation, certain types of unitary fasteners have a "B"
shaped configuration.
Typically, the two-part fastener includes legs that are barbed and connected
by a backspan. The
legs are engaged and locked into a separate retainer piece that is usually
located in the anvil. In
use, the two-part fastener is pressed into the tissue so that the barbs
penetrate the tissue and
emerge from the other side where they are then locked into the retainer piece.
The retainers
prevent the two-part fastener from dislodging from the tissue. The two-part
fasteners are not
intended to be unlocked or removable. For this reason, they are generally made
of a
bioabsorbable material.
[0006] A common concern in each of the procedures mentioned above is
hemostasis, or
the rate at which bleeding of the target tissue is stopped. It is commonly
known that by
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increasing the amount of pressure applied to a wound, the flow of blood can be
limited, thereby
decreasing the time necessary to achieve hemostasis. To this end, conventional
surgical fastener
applying apparatus generally apply two or more rows of fasteners about the cut-
line to compress
the surrounding tissue in an effort to stop any bleeding and to join the cut
tissue together. Each
of the surgical fasteners will generally apply a compressive force to the
tissue that is sufficient to
effectuate hemostasis. However, applying too much pressure can result in a
needless reduction
in blood flow to the tissue surrounding the cut-line, resulting in an elevated
level of necrosis, a
slower rate of healing, and/or a greater recovery period.
[0007] Consequently, it would be advantageous to provide a surgical
fastener applying
apparatus capable of limiting the flow of blood in the tissue immediately
adjacent the cut-line to
effectuate hemostasis and wound closure, while maximizing blood flow in the
surrounding tissue
to facilitate healing. Additionally, when tissue is clamped and compressed
between the anvil and
cartridge, some of the fluid retained within the tissue is squeezed out, which
results in greater
compression at the portions of the cartridge and the anvil adjacent the cut-
line when compared to
the lateral edges. It may also be desirable to cut and fasten across tissue
that varies in thickness.
It would therefore be advantageous to provide fasteners and surgical fastener
applying apparatus
that are better adapted to apply variable compressive forces to tissue in the
interests of
addressing these concerns.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present disclosure relates to surgical fastener applying
apparatus that apply
variable compression to tissue, and/or accommodate tissue of varying
thickness. More
specifically, surgical fastener applying apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the present
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disclosure act to limit the flow of blood through tissue immediately adjacent
a cut-line formed
therein to effectuate hemostasis, while maximizing the flow of blood through
tissue more
removed from the cut-line to limit unnecessary necrosis.
[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical fastener
applying apparatus is
disclosed that includes an anvil member having a tissue contacting surface, a
surgical fastener
cartridge, or cartridge member, that is movably coupled to the anvil member,
and a sled.
[0010] The cartridge member extends along a longitudinal axis, and is
movably coupled
to the anvil member. The cartridge member includes a plurality of surgical
fasteners and a
plurality of pushers that are operatively associated with the plurality of
surgical fasteners. Each
pusher includes a base portion and a plurality of pusher plates that extend
from the base portion
such that adjacent pusher plates define an acute angle therebetween.
[0011] The aforementioned sled is operably engagable with the plurality
of pushers such
that engagement of the sled with the pushers urges the surgical fasteners
towards the anvil
member such that a first row of surgical fasteners applies a first compressive
force to tissue
disposed between the anvil member and the cartridge member, and a second row
of surgical
fasteners applies a second, different compressive force to the tissue disposed
between the anvil
member and the cartridge member.
[0012] The pushers and the surgical fasteners may be configured and
dimensioned such
that the compressive forces are varied along an axis that is transverse to the
longitudinal axis of
the cartridge member. Additionally, or alternatively, the pushers and the
surgical fasteners may
be configured and dimensioned such that the compressive forces applied to the
tissue decrease
outwardly relative to a centerline of the cartridge member such that blood
flow through the tissue
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nearer to the centerline of the cartridge member is less than blood flow
through the tissue further
from the centerline of the cartridge member.
[0013] Each pusher plate extends from the base portion to define a
different length. For
example, the pusher plates positioned nearer to a centerline of the cartridge
member may be
shorter than those positioned further from the centerline.
[0014] In one embodiment of the surgical fastener applying apparatus, the
plurality of
pusher plates includes a first pusher plate, a second pusher plate, and a
third pusher plate. In this
embodiment, the first pusher plate is positioned nearest to the centerline of
the cartridge member,
the second pusher plate is positioned outwardly of the first pusher plate and
further from the
centerline, and the third pusher plate is positioned outwardly of the second
pusher plate and
furthest from the centerline. The first pusher plate extends from the base
portion to define a first
length, the second pusher plate extends from the base portion to define a
second length, and the
third pusher plate extends from the base portion to define a third length,
wherein the third length
is greater than the second length, and the second length is greater than the
first length.
[0015] The pusher plates are connected to the base portion at a hinge
member, e.g., a
living hinge. The hinge member is configured to allow the pusher plates to
diverge as the
pushers are driven towards the anvil member by the sled such that the angles
described between
adjacent pusher plates are increased.
[0016] The disclosed cartridge member includes a top wall having a
plurality of retention
slots formed therein that are configured and dimensioned to allow the surgical
fasteners to pass
therethrough during ejection from the cartridge member. Each fastener
retention slot is aligned
with a corresponding pocket formed in the tissue contacting surface of the
anvil member. The
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fastener pockets formed in the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member
may be arranged
such that each fastener retention slot is aligned with a plurality of
corresponding fastener pockets
to reduce any likelihood of improper surgical fastener formation. In one
embodiment, it is
contemplated that the anvil member may be formed from a plurality of plates
that are secured
together.
[0017] The surgical fasteners are positioned within the cartridge member
to define a
predetermined distance between penetrating tips thereof and the corresponding
pocket formed in
the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member. The surgical fasteners
positioned nearer to a
centerline of the cartridge member may be shorter than the surgical fasteners
positioned further
from the centerline such that the distance defined between the penetrating
tips of the surgical
fasteners and the corresponding pockets formed in the tissue contacting
surface of the anvil
member varies with the distance between the surgical fasteners and the
centerline of the cartridge
member. For example, it is envisioned that the distance defined between the
penetrating tips of
the surgical fasteners and the corresponding pockets formed in the tissue
contacting surface of
the anvil member may increase with the distance between the surgical fasteners
and the
centerline of the cartridge member.
[0018] In one embodiment of the surgical fastener applying apparatus, the
plurality of
surgical fasteners includes a plurality of first surgical fasteners that are
arranged into first rows,
second rows, and third rows. In this embodiment, the first rows are positioned
nearer to a
centerline of the cartridge member, the second rows are positioned outwardly
of the first rows
and further from the centerline, and the third rows are positioned outwardly
of the second rows
and furthest from the centerline.
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[0019] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical fastener
applying apparatus
is disclosed that includes an anvil member, a cartridge member extending along
a longitudinal
axis that is movably coupled to the anvil member and configured and
dimensioned to retain a
plurality of surgical fasteners therein, and one or more pushers that are
movably positioned
within the cartridge member to eject the plurality of surgical fasteners from
the cartridge member
into the anvil member to effectuate formation of the plurality of surgical
fasteners such that at
least two different compressive forces are applied to tissue.
[0020] The at least one pusher includes a base portion and a plurality of
pusher plates
that are connected to the base portion such that the plurality of pusher
plates are repositionable
relative to a centerline of the cartridge member during movement of the at
least one pusher. In
one embodiment, it is envisioned that the pusher plates may extend from the
base portion such
that adjacent pusher plates define an acute angle therebetween. Additionally,
or alternatively, it
is envisioned that the pusher(s) may be of unitary construction, and/or that
each pusher plate may
extend from the base portion to define a different length.
[0021] Additionally, it is envisioned that the pusher(s) and the surgical
fasteners may be
configured and dimensioned such that the compressive forces applied to the
tissue are varied
along an axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge
member.
[0022] These and other features of the surgical access apparatus
disclosed herein will
become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art through reference to
the detailed
description of various embodiments of the present disclosure that follows.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described
hereinbelow with
references to the drawings, wherein:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a top, perspective view of a surgical fastener applying
apparatus having
a tool assembly at a distal end thereof for applying a plurality of surgical
fasteners to tissue,
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a side, perspective view of an exemplary surgical
fastener;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a partial, perspective view of the tool assembly seen in
FIG. 1, with
parts separated, illustrating an anvil and a surgical fastener cartridge
assembly including a
surgical fastener cartridge incorporating angled pushers;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a schematic, enlarged view of the area of detail
indicated in FIG. 3
illustrating a tissue contacting surface of the anvil and a plurality of
fastener pockets formed
therein;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view taken along line 5-
5 in FIG. 4
illustrating the fastener pockets formed in the tissue contacting surface of
the anvil;
[0029] FIG. 5A is a lateral, cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of the tool
assembly seen in FIG. 1 taken through the fastener pockets formed in the anvil
and retention
slots formed in the surgical fastener cartridge;
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[0030] FIG. 6 is a lateral, cross-sectional view of the tool assembly
seen in FIG. 1 taken
through the fastener pockets formed in the anvil and retention slots formed in
the surgical
fastener cartridge;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a side, perspective view of the surgical fastener shown
in FIG. 2
exhibiting a standard "B" shaped configuration subsequent to formation through
engagement
with the fastener pockets formed in the anvil seen in FIG. 3;
[0032] FIG. 8 is side, perspective view of a surgical fastener having a
single-loop
configuration subsequent to formation through contact with the fastener
pockets formed in the
tissue contacting surface included in an alternative embodiment of the anvil
seen in FIG. 3;
[0033] FIG. 9A is a side, plan view of one embodiment of the surgical
fastener shown in
FIG. 2 including legs having a first length and shown prior to formation;
[0034] FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the surgical fastener shown
in FIG. 9A
subsequent to formation within adjacent tissue segments to apply a first
compressive force
thereto;
[0035] FIG. 10A is a side view of another embodiment of the surgical
fastener shown in
FIG. 2 including legs having a second, shorter length and shown prior to
formation;
[0036] FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the surgical fastener shown
in FIG. 10A
subsequent to formation within adjacent tissue segments to apply a second,
greater compressive
force thereto;
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[0037] FIG. 11A is a side view of still another embodiment of the
surgical fastener
shown in FIG. 2 including legs having a third, shorter length and shown prior
to formation;
[0038] FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the surgical fastener shown
in FIG. 11A
subsequent to formation within adjacent tissue segments to apply a third,
greater compressive
force thereto;
[0039] FIG. 12 is a partial, longitudinal, perspective view, with parts
removed, of the
surgical fastener cartridge seen in FIG. 3 illustrating the plurality of
surgical fasteners arranged
into inner, intermediate, and outer rows;
[0040] FIG. 13 illustrates an end-to-end anastomosis device for use with
alternative
embodiments of the anvil and the surgical fastener cartridge seen in FIG. 3;
[0041] FIG. 14 illustrates a surgical fastener applying instrument for
use with alternative
embodiments of the anvil and the surgical fastener cartridge seen in FIG. 3;
[0042] FIG. 15 illustrates a transverse anastomosis fastener applying
instrument for use
with alternative embodiments of the anvil and the surgical fastener cartridge
seen in FIG. 3;
[0043] FIG. 16 is a lateral, cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of the tool
assembly seen in FIG. 1 taken through the fastener pockets formed in the anvil
and retention
slots formed in the surgical fastener cartridge in accordance with yet another
embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0044] FIG. 17 is perspective view of a plurality of anvil plates, with
parts separated, in
accordance with still another embodiment of the present disclosure; and
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[0045] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the plurality of anvil plates
seen in FIG. 17 after
assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0046] Various embodiments of the presently disclosed surgical fastener
applying
apparatus, and methods of using the same, will now be described in detail with
reference to the
drawings wherein like references characters identify similar or identical
elements. In the
drawings, and in the description which follows, the term "proximal" will refer
to the end the
surgical fastener applying apparatus, or component thereof, that is closest to
the clinician during
use, while the term "distal" will refer to the end that is furthest from the
clinician, as is traditional
and conventional in the art. In addition, the term "surgical fastener" should
be understood to
include any substantially rigid structure that is suitable for the intended
purpose of joining tissue
together, including but not being limited to surgical staples, clips, and the
like.
[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates a surgical fastener applying apparatus 1000, of
either the re-
usable or disposable variety, including a handle assembly 1002, with a movable
handle 1003A
and a stationary handle 1003B, that is operatively connected to a tool
assembly 1004 through a
distally extending elongated shaft 1006. In various embodiments, the handle
assembly 1002 may
be manually operated, and either additionally or alternatively, may include
motorized, hydraulic,
ratcheting, or other such mechanisms. In general, the tool assembly 1004 is
adapted to clamp,
fasten together, and sever adjacent tissue segments along a cut-line.
[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 2-6 as well, the tool assembly 1004
includes a first jaw
1008 that is pivotally coupled to a second jaw 1010 to facilitate
approximation thereof. The first
jaw 1008 of the tool assembly 1004 includes an anvil 1100, and the second jaw
1010 includes a
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surgical fastener cartridge assembly 1200 that is loaded with a plurality of
surgical fasteners 100
(FIGS. 2, 3). Pivoting the movable handle 1003A towards the stationary handle
1003B (FIG. 1)
approximates the first jaw 1008 and the second jaw 1010. After the jaws 1008,
1010 are in close
operative alignment, continued pivoting of the movable handle 1003A ejects the
plurality of
surgical fasteners 100 (FIG. 3) from the surgical fastener cartridge assembly
1200 such that the
surgical fasteners 100 are driven into the anvil 1100, thus being formed into
completed surgical
fasteners, as described in further detail below. The tool assembly 1004 and/or
the surgical
fastener cartridge assembly 1200 may comprise a removable and replaceable
loading unit for the
surgical fastener applying apparatus 1000.
[0049] As best seen in FIG. 2, each surgical fastener 100 includes two
legs 102 that are
connected by a backspan 104 extending therebetween. The legs 102 extend from
the backspan
104 to penetrating ends 106 to define a length "L" prior to formation. The
dimensions of the
backspan 106 and the legs 102 can be varied such that the surgical fasteners
100 may be used to
fasten tissue having varying attributes, e.g., to fasten tissue of varying
thickness, and/or to
accommodate the presence of scar tissue. The dimensions of the legs 102 and
the backspan 104
can be varied such that the surgical fasteners 100 can apply varying amounts
of pressure to
tissue.
[0050] The legs 102 and the backspan 104 may define a cross-section
having any suitable
geometric configuration including, but not limited to, rectangular, oval,
square, triangular,
trapezoidal, etc. The legs 102 and the backspan 104 may exhibit the same
geometrical
configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, or alternatively, the legs 102 and the
backspan 104 may
exhibit different geometrical configurations. For example, the legs 102 may
exhibit a
rectangular cross-section, whereas the backspan 104 may exhibit an oval cross-
section.
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[0051] The penetrating ends 106 of the legs 102 may be tapered to
facilitate the
penetration of tissue, or alternatively, the penetrating ends 106 may not
include a taper. In
various embodiments, it is also envisioned that the penetrating ends 108, 110
may define either a
conical surface, or a flat surface.
[0052] Prior to formation, the legs 102 of each surgical fastener 100 may
extend from the
backspan 104 such that they are substantially parallel. In the alternative,
the legs 102 may
converge or diverge from the backspan 104.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 3 in particular, the surgical fastener
applying apparatus
1000 also includes a knife member 1007 that is operatively connected to a
drive beam 1012, as
described in commonly assigned U.S, Pat. No. 7,398,908, currently assigned to
Tyco Healthcare
Group LP, the contents of which are discussed in further detail below. The
knife member
1007 may be configured and dimensioned for simultaneous engagement with both
the anvil
member 1100 and a cavity 1222 that is defined by the second jaw 1010.
[0054] During use, the tool assembly 1004 is first actuated to clamp onto
tissue by
manipulating the movable handle 1003A to advance a control rod (not shown)
distally. Distal
advancement of the control rod results in corresponding movement of the knife
member 1007,
and effectuates approximation of the anvil member 1100 and the surgical
fastener cartridge
assembly 1200. With tissue clamped between the anvil member 1100 and the
surgical fastener
cartridge assembly 1200, the fasteners 100 (FIGS. 2, 3) are fired from the
surgical fastener
applying apparatus 1000 (FIG. 1) into the tissue. The movable handle 1003A is
then operated
again to further advance the knife member 1007.
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100551 Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, the anvil 1100 and the surgical
fastener cartridge
assembly 1200 of the tool assembly 1004 (FIG. 1) will be discussed in further
detail. The anvil
1100 is an elongated member having a tissue contacting surface 1102 with a
plurality of pockets
1104 (FIG. 4) formed therein. Each of the pockets 1104 is positioned to
receive the legs 102
(FIG. 2) of the surgical fastener 100, and is configured to redirect the legs
102 to thereby form
the surgical fasteners 100. More particularly, in the embodiment of the anvil
1100 seen in FIGS.
3-6, each pocket 1104 includes two forming surfaces 1106, 1108 (FIGS. 4, 5)
that extend into the
anvil 1100, i.e., away from the tissue contacting surface 1102, to define a
depth `D" (FIG. 5).
Upon engagement of the legs 102 (FIG. 2) with the forming surfaces 1106, 1108,
the forming
surfaces 1106, 1108 guide the legs 102 inwardly in the direction of arrows "A"
(FIG. 4) to
facilitate deformation of the surgical faster 100 into the standard "B" shaped
configuration (FIG.
7). In an alternative embodiment, the anvil 1100 may include pockets 1104 that
are configured
and dimensioned to deform the surgical fastener 100 such that the surgical
fastener 100 defines a
single-loop configuration (FIG. 8) upon formation. It is also envisioned that
the surgical fastener
100 may exhibit other configurations upon formation.
[0056] The pockets 1104 are arranged into rows disposed on opposite sides
of a slot 1110
extending at least partially through the anvil member 1100 (FIGS. 3, 4). The
slot 1110 is
configured to accommodate longitudinal movement of the knife member 1007 (FIG.
3) such that
tissue may be severed along a cut-line. Although the slot 1110 is depicted as
extending
longitudinally through the anvil 1100, in alternative embodiments, the slot
1110 may define a
configuration that is angled, arcuate, or shaped otherwise. The slot 1110 may
extend along a
centerline of the anvil 1100, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.
3 and 4, or
alternatively, the slot 1110 may be spaced therefrom.
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[0057] In the specific embodiment of the anvil 1100 seen in FIGS. 3-6,
the pockets 1104
are arranged into a pair of outer rows 1112A (FIG. 4) that are spaced
laterally outward of the slot
1110 and furthest therefrom, a pair of intermediate rows 1112B that are spaced
laterally inward of
the pair of outer rows 1112A, and a pair of inner rows 1112c that are spaced
laterally inward of
the pair of intermediate rows 1112B and closest to the slot 1110. While the
anvil 1100 is
depicted as including three rows of pockets 1104, i.e., the respective outer,
intermediate, and
inner rows 1112A, 1112B, 1112c, the arrangement of pockets 1104 into fewer or
greater numbers
of rows in alternative embodiments is also within the scope of the present
disclosure. With
reference to FIG. 5A, in one particular embodiment, the anvil 1100 includes
additional rows of
pockets 1104 to accommodate for any lateral deflection experienced by the
surgical fasteners
100, i.e., towards or away from the slot 1110, as they are deployed through
the tissue grasped
between the jaws 1008, 1010 (FIG. 1) of the tool assembly 1004. The surgical
fasteners 100 may
be deflected laterally, for example, due to the presence of scar tissue,
irregularities in the tissue,
or tissue of increased thickness. By providing additional rows of pockets
1104, the likelihood of
engagement between the surgical fasteners 100 and one of the pockets 1104, and
thus, proper
fastener formation, is increased.
[00581 With continued reference to FIGS. 3-6, the surgical fastener
cartridge assembly
1200 will be discussed. In the particular embodiment seen in FIGS. 3 and 6,
the surgical fastener
cartridge assembly 1200 is loaded with three varieties of surgical fastener,
i.e., the surgical
fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c seen in FIGS. 9A-11B. In alternative embodiments,
however, the
surgical fastener cartridge assembly 1200 may include fewer or additional
varieties of surgical
fasteners 100.
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[0059] Turning momentarily to FIGS. 9A-11B, it can be seen that the
surgical fasteners
100A, 100B, 100c are substantially identical but for the respective lengths
"LA," "La," "Lc"
defined by their legs 102A, 102B, 102c. Specifically, the length "LB" defined
by the legs 102B of
the surgical fasteners 100B is less than the length "LA- defined by the legs
102A of the surgical
fasteners 100A, and the length "Lc" defined by the legs 102c of the surgical
fasteners 100c is less
than the length "LB" defined by the legs 102B of the surgical fasteners 100B.
Stated differently,
the surgical fasteners 100c have the shortest legs 102c, and the surgical
fasteners 100A have the
longest legs 102A.
[0060] As seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, the surgical fastener cartridge assembly
1200 includes a
surgical fastener cartridge body 1202 extending along an axis -X-X" (FIG. 3)
that houses, among
other components, the surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c (FIGS. 9A-11B). A
longitudinal slot
1204 extends through the surgical fastener cartridge body 1202 that is
configured and
dimensioned to accommodate longitudinal movement of the knife 1007 (FIG. 3)
such that tissue
may be severed along the aforementioned cut-line. Although the slot 1204 is
depicted as
extending longitudinally through the surgical fastener cartridge body 1202, in
alternative
embodiments, the slot 1204 may define a configuration that is angled, arcuate,
or shaped
otherwise. The slot 1204 may extend along a centerline of the surgical
fastener cartridge body
1202, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6, or
alternatively, the slot 1204
may be spaced therefrom.
[0061] The surgical fastener cartridge body 1202 is defined by a
substantially planar
bottom wall 1206, a pair of side walls 1208, 1210 that extend upwardly
therefrom, and a top wall
1212. The top wall 1212 is also substantially planar, and extends in
substantially parallel
relation to the bottom wall 1206. The top wall 1212 includes a tissue engaging
surface 1214,
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e.g., for maintaining the position of the tissue to be cut. When the jaws
1008, 1010 (FIG. 1) of
the tool assembly 1004 are in an approximated position, the tissue engaging
surface 1214 of the
top wall 1212 is spaced a distance "Y" (FIG. 6) from the tissue contacting
surface 1102 of the
anvil 1100.
[00621 The tissue engaging surface 1214 of the top wall 1212 further
includes a plurality
of fastener retention slots 1216 formed therein. Each fastener retention slot
1216 is configured
and dimensioned to receive one of the surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c
(FIGS. 6, 9A-11B).
To drive the surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c upwardly, i.e., towards the
top wall 1212, and
through the fastener retention slots 1216, the surgical fastener cartridge
assembly 1200 further
includes a plurality of pushers 1218 (FIG. 3) and a sled 1220 that is disposed
within the cavity
1222 defined by the second jaw 1010 of the tool assembly 1004 (FIG. 1).
[00631 The pushers 1218 are positioned beneath the surgical fasteners
100A, 100B, 100c,
and are configured to engage the sled 1220 as the sled 1220 traverses the
cavity 1222 via
translation of the drive beam 1012, or other such actuation component. Each
pusher 1218
includes a plurality of pusher plates, identified generally by the reference
character 1224,
corresponding in number to the number of rows of fastener lines desired within
the tissue upon
firing of the surgical fastener applying apparatus 1000 (FIG. 1). Accordingly,
in the embodiment
seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, each pusher 1218 includes three pusher plates, i.e.,
outer, intermediate,
and inner pusher plates 1224A, 1224B, 1224c, respectively. In alternative
embodiments,
however, it is envisioned that the pushers 1218 may include fewer or greater
numbers of pusher
plates 1224 should the desired number of rows of fastener lines be fewer or
greater.
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CA 02664995 2009-04-29
[0064] Each of the respective outer, intermediate, and inner pusher
plates 1224A, 1224B,
1224c extends upwardly from, and is connected to, a base portion 1226 of the
pusher 1218 at one
or more hinge members 1228. In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 6 for example,
the hinge
member(s) 1228 may comprise a living hinge formed integrally with the pusher
1218. The hinge
member(s) 1228 permit the outer, intermediate, and inner pusher plates 1224A,
1224B, 1224c to
diverge as the pushers 1218 are driven upwardly by the sled 1220 (FIG. 3). The
outer,
intermediate, and inner pusher plates 1224A, 1224B, 1224c extend from the base
portion 1226 in
offset relation such that the outer pusher plate 1224A and the intermediate
pusher plate 1224B
subtend a first acute angle 01, while the intermediate pusher plate 1224B and
the outer pusher
plate 1224c subtend a second acute angle 02.
[0065] In one particular embodiment, the pushers 1218 are unitary in
construction, as
shown in FIG. 6 for example, such that the pusher plates 1224 extend directly
from the base
portion 1226. For example, it is envisioned that the pusher plates 1224 may be
integrally, e.g.,
monolithically, formed with the base portion 1226. It is also envisioned,
however, that the
pushers 1218 and the pusher plates 1224 may constitute separate, discrete
structures.
[0066] The outer, intermediate, and inner pusher plates 1224A, 1224B,
1224c are
configured and dimensioned to engage the surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c,
respectively.
Consequently, the surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c are also arranged within
the surgical
fastener cartridge body 1202 in offset relation such that the surgical
fasteners 100A, 100B subtend
the first acute angle 01 and the surgical fasteners 100B, 100c subtend the
second acute angle 02.
[0067] The distance "D" measured from the pushers 1218 to the tissue
contacting surface
1102 of the anvil 1100 for each of the pushers 1218 is substantially the same.
While the height
18
CA 02664995 2009-04-29
of each pusher 1218, measured along the vertical axis "Z-Z," or height, of the
surgical fastener
cartridge 1200 is substantially the same, the offset relationship between the
respective outer,
intermediate, and inner pusher plates 1224A, 1224B, 1224c results in each
pusher plate defining a
different length. More specifically, in the embodiment seen in FIG. 6, the
outer pusher plate
1224A defines a greater length than the intermediate pusher plate 1224B, and
the intermediate
pusher plate 1224B defines a greater length than the inner pusher plate 1224c.
Stated differently,
the pushers 1218 are arranged beneath the surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c
such that shortest
pusher plate, i.e., inner pusher plate 1224c, is disposed closest to the slot
1204 and beneath the
shortest surgical fastener, i.e., the surgical fastener 100A, and the longest
pusher plate, i.e., the
outer pusher plate 1224A, is disposed furthest from the slot 1204 and beneath
the longest surgical
fastener, i.e., the surgical fasteners 100c.
[00681
The offset relationship between the respective outer, intermediate, and inner
pusher plates 1224A, 1224B, 1224c, and the corresponding offset relationship
between the
surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c, results in the definition of a variable
distance between the
respective penetrating ends 106A, 106B, 106c of the surgical fasteners 100A,
100B, 100c and the
pockets 1104 formed in the tissue contacting surface 1102 of the anvil 1100.
More specifically,
the penetrating ends 106A of the surgical fasteners 100A are spaced a distance
"XA" from the
pockets 1104 comprising the pair of outer rows 1112A (FIG. 4), the penetrating
ends 106B of the
surgical fasteners 100B are spaced a distance "XB" from the pockets 1104
comprising the
intermediate pair of rows 1112B, and the penetrating ends 106c of the surgical
fasteners 100c are
spaced a distance "Xc" from the pockets 1104 comprising the inner pair of rows
1112c. In the
illustrated embodiment, the distance `XA" is less than the distance "XB," and
the distance "XB" is
less than the distance "Xc."
19
CA 02664995 2009-04-29
[0069] The fastener retention slots 1216 are arranged into pairs of
outer, intermediate,
and inner rows 1230A, 1230B, 1230c (FIG. 3) that correspond respectively to
the pairs of outer,
intermediate, and inner rows 1112A, 1112B, 1112c (FIG. 4) of pockets 1104
formed in the tissue
contacting surface 1102 of the anvil 1100, thus increasing the likelihood of
proper engagement
between the surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c and the pockets 1104.
Accordingly, upon
ejection of the surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c from the fastener
retention slots 1216, the
surgical fasteners 100A are directed into contact with the pockets 1104
comprising the pair of
outer rows 1112A, the surgical fasteners 100B are directed into contact with
the pockets 1104
comprising the pair of intermediate rows 1112B, and the surgical fasteners
100c are directed into
contact with the pockets 1104 comprising the pair inner of rows 1112c. In one
embodiment, as
seen in FIG. 6, the fastener retention slots 1216 comprising the pairs of
outer, intermediate, and
inner rows 1230A, 1230B, 1230c may be connected at lead-ins 1232, which may be
radiused, as
shown, or of any other suitable configuration, e.g., planar or pointed.
Alternatively, however, it
is envisioned that the fastener retention slots 1216 comprising the respective
outer, intermediate,
and inner pairs of rows 1230A, 1230B, 1230c may be discrete.
[00701 The pair of outer rows 1230A (FIGS. 3, 6) of fastener retention
slots 1216 are
spaced laterally outward of the slot 1204 and are disposed furthest therefrom,
the pair of
intermediate rows 1230B are spaced inwardly of the pair of outer rows 1230A,
and the pair of
inner rows 1230c are spaced inwardly of the pair of intermediate rows 1230B
and are disposed
closest to the slot 1204, each of the respective inner, intermediate, and
outer pairs of rows 1230A,
1230B, 1230c being arranged on opposite sides of the slot 1204. Consequently,
as the surgical
fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c exit the fastener retention slots 1216 and are
formed within tissue, the
surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c will be arranged to respectively define
outer, intermediate,
CA 02664995 2009-04-29
and inner fastener lines on opposite sides of the cut-line formed in the
tissue. While the surgical
fastener cartridge body 1202 is depicted as including three pairs of rows,
i.e., the respective
outer, intermediate, and inner rows 1230A, 1230B, 1230c, fewer and greater
numbers of rows of
fastener retention slots 1216 may be included in alternative embodiments of
the surgical fastener
cartridge assembly 1200.
[0071]
With reference again to FIGS. 9A-9B, the surgical fasteners 100A will be
discussed before and after formation. As seen in FIG. 9A, before formation,
the legs 102A of the
surgical fastener 100A define a length "LA" that is measured from the
penetrating ends 106A to an
outer surface 108A of the backspan 104A. After formation, the legs 102A are
configured such that
the surgical fastener 100A defines, for example, the standard "B" shaped
configuration (FIG. 9B).
When formed within adjacent tissue segments "T1," "T2," the tissue segments
"T1," "T2" are
compressed and maintained in approximation between an inner surface 110A of
the curved legs
102A and an inner surface 112A of the backspan 104A within a compressive space
114A. The
compression of the tissue segments "Ti," "T2" creates a biasing force "BA" in
the tissue segments
"Ti," "T2" that endeavors to force the legs 102A of the surgical fastener 100A
outwardly in the
direction indicated by arrows 1. The legs 102A resist yielding, but their
length "LA" allows the
legs 102A to be deflected outwardly, albeit a minimal distance, under the
influence of the biasing
force "BA" such that the compressive space 114A ultimately defines a dimension
"CA."
Maintaining the tissue segments "T1," "T2" within the compressive space 114A
subjects the tissue
segments "T1," "T2" to a corresponding compressive force "FA" which limits,
but does not
completely restrict, the flow of blood through the tissue surrounding the
surgical fastener 100A.
Thus, unnecessary necrosing of the fastened tissue segments "T1," "T2" may be
prevented or
impeded.
21
CA 02664995 2009-04-29
[0072] With reference now to FIGS. 10A-10B, the surgical fastener 100B is
shown before
and after formation, respectively. Before formation, the legs 102B define a
length "LB" that is
measured from the penetrating ends 106B to the outer surface 108B of the
backspan 104B. The
length "LB" is less than the length "LA" defined by the legs 102A of the
surgical fastener 100A
illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9B. After formation, the legs 102B are configured such
that the surgical
fastener 100B also defines the standard "B" shaped configuration (FIG. 10B).
When the surgical
fastener 100B is formed within tissue segments "T1," "T2," the compressed
tissue segments "Ti,"
"T2" exert a biasing force "BB" that endeavors to force the legs 102B
outwardly in the direction
indicated by arrows 1. The shorter length "LB" of the legs 102B allows the
legs 1028 to resist
yielding to a greater extent than the legs 102A of the surgical fastener 100A
such that a
compressive space 114B is ultimately defined with a dimension "CB" that is
smaller in
comparison to the dimension "CA" of the compressive space 114A illustrated in
FIG. 9B. The
smaller dimension "CB" of the compressive space 114B results in the
application of a
corresponding compressive force "FB" to the tissue segments "T1," "T2" that is
greater than the
compressive force "FA" applied by the surgical fastener 100A. Consequently,
the flow of blood
through the tissue surrounding the surgical fastener 100B is further
restricted when compared to
the flow of blood through the tissue surrounding the surgical fastener 100A,
thereby further
facilitating hemostasis. The compressive force "FB" does not completely
restrict the flow of
blood through the tissue surrounding the surgical fastener 100B, however.
Thus, unnecessary
necrosing of the fastened tissue segments "Ti," "T2" may be prevented or
impeded.
[0073] FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate the surgical fastener 100c before and
after formation,
respectively. Before formation, the legs 102c define a length "Lc" that is
measured from the
penetrating ends 106c to the outer surface 108c of the backspan 104c. The
length "Lc" is less
22
CA 02664995 2009-04-29
than the length "LB" defined by the legs 102B of the surgical fastener 100B
illustrated in FIGS.
10A-10B. After formation, the legs 102c are configured such that the surgical
fastener 100c also
defines the standard "B" shaped configuration (FIG. 11B). When the surgical
fastener 100c is
formed within tissue segments "Ti," "T2," the compressed tissue segments "T1,"
"T2" exert a
biasing force "Be" that endeavors to force the legs 102c outwardly in the
direction indicated by
arrows 1. The shorter length "Lc" of the legs 102c allows the legs 102c to
resist yielding to a
greater extent than the legs the legs 102B of the surgical fastener 100B such
that a compressive
space 114c is ultimately defined with a dimension "Cc" that is smaller in
comparison to the
dimension "CB" of the compressive space 114B illustrated in FIG. 10B. The
smaller dimension
"Cc" of the compressive space 114c results in the application of a
corresponding compressive
force "Fe" to the tissue segments "T1," "T2" that is greater than the
compressive force "FB"
applied by the surgical fastener 100B. Consequently, the flow of blood through
the tissue
surrounding the surgical fastener 100c is further restricted when compared to
the flow of blood
through the tissue surrounding the surgical fastener 100B. The compressive
force "FB" applied to
the tissue segments "T1," "T2" substantially, if not completely restricts the
flow of blood through
the tissue surrounding the surgical fastener 100c, thereby further
facilitating, and effectuating
hemostasis.
[0074]
The length "LA" of the legs 102A, the length "LB" of the legs 102B, and the
length
"Lc" of the legs 102c, as well as the corresponding dimensions "CA," "CB,"
"Cc" of the
compressive spaces 114A, 114B, 114c occupied by tissue segments "T1," "T2"
when the
respective surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c are in their formed conditions,
may be altered or
varied in different embodiments of the present disclosure to effectuate any
desired level of
hemostasis and blood flow in the tissue segments "T1," "T2." Furthermore, the
size of the
23
CA 02664995 2009-04-29
surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c may be substantially the same, or may vary
within a row of
retention slots 1216, or in any other pattern.
[0075] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 12, the pushers 1218 are arranged
longitudinally on
opposite sides of the slot 1204 extending through the surgical fastener
cartridge body 1202 such
that the surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c define pairs of outer,
intermediate, and inner rows
1234A, 1234B, 1234c that correspond respectively in position to the outer,
intermediate, and inner
rows 1230A, 1230B, 1230c (FIG. 3) of fastener retention slots 1216.
Accordingly, the surgical
fasteners 100A comprising the pair of outer rows 1234A will be spaced
laterally outward, and
furthest from, the cut-line formed upon fastening, the surgical fasteners 100B
comprising the pair
of intermediate rows 1234B will be disposed inwardly of the surgical fasteners
100A comprising
the pair of outer rows 1234A, and the fasteners 100c comprising the pair of
inner rows 1234c will
be disposed inwardly of the surgical fasteners 100B comprising the pair of
intermediate rows
1234B, along the cut-line, and closest thereto. The respective outer,
intermediate, and inner rows
1234A, 1234B, 1234c of surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c will be applied to
the tissue such that
they define corresponding lines of fasteners on opposite sides of the cut-
line.
[0076] The surgical fastener cartridge body 1202 seen in FIGS. 3, 6, and
12 is illustrated
as including outer, intermediate, and inner rows 1234A, 1234B, 1234c
exclusively including the
respective surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c. In other words, each surgical
fastener disposed in
a particular row will have the same configuration, i.e., legs of the same
length. By arranging the
surgical fasteners 100A, 1008, 100c in this manner, the surgical fasteners
with the shortest leg
length resulting in the greatest compressive force, i.e., surgical fasteners
100c, are deployed
closest to the cut-line, and the surgical fasteners having longer legs and
resulting in lesser
compressive forces, i.e., surgical fasteners 100A and 100B, are provided
further from the cut-line.
24
CA 02664995 2009-04-29
Consequently, arranging the surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c in this way
minimizes the flow
of blood through the tissue immediately adjacent the cut-line and gradually
increases the flow of
blood through the tissue spaced a greater lateral distance therefrom. It
should be appreciated that
the length of the legs could be varied to accommodate tissue of different
thicknesses and to
control tissue compression by the fasteners 100A, 1008, 100c.
100771 In alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, it is
envisioned that the
surgical fastener cartridge body 1202 may include outer, intermediate, and
inner rows 1234A,
1234B, 1234c comprising a combination of surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c
such that a
particular row may include a variety of surgical fasteners having different
configurations, e.g.,
legs of different lengths. By providing a variety of surgical fasteners in
each row, the flow of
blood through the tissue can be controlled longitudinally, along the cut-line,
as well laterally as
the distance therefrom is varied.
[0078] With continued reference to FIG. 12, by loading the surgical
fastener cartridge
1200 (FIG. 3) with a variety of surgical fasteners, e.g., surgical fasteners
100A, 100B, 100c, and
by arranging the surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c such that those with the
shortest legs, i.e.,
surgical fasteners 100c, are closest to the cut-line and those with the
longest legs, i.e., surgical
fasteners 100A, are furthest from the cut-line, a greater range of tissue
thickness can be
effectively fastened, as the thickness of the tissue will generally increase
with the distance from
the cut-line, e.g., as a result of clamping by the tool assembly 1004 (FIG.
1). Accordingly,
loading the surgical fastener cartridge 1200 with a variety of surgical
fasteners having legs of
various lengths allows a single surgical fastener cartridge 1200 to fasten
tissue of varying
thickness.
CA 02664995 2016-02-12
[0079] Referring now to FIGS. 1-6 and 9-12, a method of fastening tissue
with the
surgical fastener applying apparatus 1000 (FIG. 1) will be discussed. During
use, the surgical
fastener applying apparatus 1000 is approximated and fired similarly to, and
in accordance with
other known surgical fastener applying apparatus, such as that disclosed in
commonly assigned
U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361, currently assigned to Tyco Healthcare Group LP.
[0080] The movable handle 1003A is operatively connected to an actuation
shaft, which
receives the proximal end of a control rod, such that manipulation of the
movable handle 1003A
results in linear advancement of the actuation shaft, which causes
corresponding linear
advancement of the control rod. An axial drive assembly is also provided that
is engagable with
the control rod. More specifically, the axial drive assembly includes the
elongated drive beam
1012 (FIG. 3), which includes a distal end that supports the knife blade 1007,
and a drive
member that is configured and dimensioned for engagement with the control rod.
As seen in
FIG. 3, the knife 1007 is positioned to translate behind the sled 1220.
[0081] After the surgical fastener applying apparatus 1000 (FIG. 1) is
manipulated to
position the target tissue between the open jaws 1008, 1010 (FIG. 1) of the
tool assembly 1004,
the jaws 1008, 1010 are approximated using the handle assembly 1002 to clamp
the target tissue
therebetween and apply a compressive force thereto. Specifically, manipulation
of the movable
handle 1003A advances the actuation shaft to effectuate corresponding
advancement of the
control rod. Since the control rod is connected at its distal end to the drive
assembly, which
includes the aforementioned drive beam 1113, distal movement of the control
rod causes
corresponding movement of the drive beam 1113, which in turn, forces the anvil
1100 towards
the surgical fastener cartridge assembly 1200.
26
CA 02664995 2009-04-29
100821 With the tissue securely clamped between the jaws 1008, 1010 (FIG.
1), the
surgical fastener applying apparatus 1000 is then fired to eject the surgical
fasteners, e.g., the
surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c (FIGS. 9A-11B). To fire the surgical
fastener applying
apparatus 1000, the movable handle 1003A is again manipulated to cause
advancement of the
drive assembly, which causes the sled 1220 (FIG. 3) to traverse the cartridge
body 1202, and
eject the plurality of surgical fasteners 100 from the surgical fastener
cartridge assembly 1200.
More specifically, as the sled 1220 moves distally, it engages the pushers
1218 (FIGS. 3, 6) to
thereby drive the surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c upwardly, i.e., towards
the top wall 1212 of
the surgical fastener cartridge body 1202. As the surgical fasteners 100A,
100B, 100c are driven
upwardly, the fastener retention slots 1216 (FIGS. 3, 6) maintain the relative
positions thereof.
100831 After passing through the fastener retention slots 1216, the
surgical fasteners
100A, 100B, 100c pass through the tissue and are forced into engagement with
the pockets 1104
formed in the tissue contacting surface 1102 of the anvil 1100, thereby
achieving, for example,
the formed configurations seen in FIGS. 9B, 10B, and 11B, respectively. Upon
formation within
the tissue, the surgical fasteners 100A, 100B, 100c limit the blood flow
through the tissue
immediately adjacent and surrounding the cut-line to thereby effectuate
hemostasis, while
permitting greater blood flow through the tissue spaced laterally therefrom to
minimizing
necrosing of the tissue, as discussed above.
[00841 While the tool assembly 1004 (FIG. 1) has been discussed in
connection with the
surgical fastener applying apparatus 1000, which is adapted for use in
laparoscopic procedures
for performing surgical anastomotic fastening of tissue, the tool assembly
1004 may be adapted
for use with any surgical instrument suitable for the intended purpose of
applying the plurality of
surgical fasteners, e.g., the surgical fasteners 100 (FIG. 2), the surgical
fasteners 100A (FIGS.
27
CA 02664995 2016-02-12
9A, 9B) , the surgical fasteners 100s (FIGS. 10A, 10B), and/or the surgical
fasteners 100c
(FIGS. 11A, 11B), to a section of tissue, and thereafter, severing the tissue
along a cut-line.
[0085] For example, the tool assembly 1004 (FIG. 1) may be adapted for use
with an
end-to-end anastomosis (EEA) apparatus 2000 (FIG. 10), such as that disclosed
in commonly
assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,455,676, currently assigned to Tyco Healthcare Group
LP.
The EEA apparatus 2000 includes a handle assembly 2002
having at least one pivotable actuating handle member 2004,
and advancing means 2006. Extending from handle assembly 2002, there is
provided a tubular
body portion 2008 that terminates in a fastener ejection (tool) assembly 2010
having a circular
fastener cartridge 2012 that is configured and dimensioned to retain a
plurality of surgical
fasteners therein. An anvil shaft 2014 operatively couples an anvil assembly
2016 to the handle
assembly 2002 such that the anvil assembly 2016 is repositionable from a
location where it is in
close cooperative alignment with the fastener cartridge 2012 to a location
where it is spaced
apart from the fastener staple cartridge 2012.
[0086] The tool assembly 2010 includes a fastener ejection member that is
positioned
within the fastener cartridge 2012. The fastener ejection member includes a
distal portion
defining concentric rings of peripherally spaced staple pushers that are
received within a
respective staple retention slot to eject the surgical fasteners from the
fastener cartridge 2012.
The fastener ejection member is configured and dimensioned to be contacted by
a distal end of a
driver tube that is operatively connected to the advancing means 2006 through
the body portion
2008 such that manipulation of the advancing means effectuates advancement of
the driver tube
to force the staple pushers into engagement with the plurality of surgical
fasteners retained with
in the fastener cartridge 2012 to causes ejection thereof.
28
CA 02664995 2016-02-12
[0087] The tool assembly 1004 (FIG. 1) may also be adapted for use with a
surgical
stapling apparatus 3000 (FIG. 11), such as that disclosed in commonly assigned
U.S. Pat. No.
7,334,717, currently assigned to Tyco Healthcare Group LP.
The surgical stapling apparatus 3000 includes a
cartridge receiving half-section 3002, which accommodates a plurality of
surgical fasteners, and
an anvil half-section 3004. The half-sections 3002, 3004 are pivotally
connected via handles
3006, 3008 for approximation during use.
[0088] Following approximation of the half-sections 3002, 3004, the
surgical fastener
applying apparatus 3000 is fired by driving a firing slide 3010 distally
through the advancement
of a firing lever 3012. Distal movement of the firing slide 3010 causes a
plurality of cam bars to
engage camming surfaces that interact with a plurality of pushers to expel the
plurality of
surgical fasteners from the cartridge receiving half-section 3002. The
surgical fasteners are
positioned on either side of a track which guides a knife during longitudinal
movement to
thereby sever tissue along a cut-line.
[0089] The tool assembly 1004 (FIG. 1) may also be adapted for use with a
transverse
anastomosis fastening instrument 4000 (FIG. 12), such as that disclosed in
commonly owned
U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,394, currently assigned to United States Surgical
Corporation.
The surgical fastener applying apparatus 4000 includes an
approximation lever 4001, a movable handle 4002, an
elongated portion 4004 that extends distally from the handle 4002, and an arm
4006 that extends
from a distal end 4008 of the elongated portion 4004. The surgical fastener
applying apparatus
4000 further includes a tool assembly 4010 that includes an anvil 4012 that is
orthogonally
affixed to the arm 4006, and a surgical fastener cartridge receiver 4014 that
is operatively
29
CA 02664995 2016-02-12
coupled to the distal end 4008 of the elongated portion 4004 for retention of
the surgical fastener
cartridge 200.
[0090] Prior to firing
of the surgical fastener applying apparatus 4000, the approximation
lever 4001 is actuated to distally advance a drive member that is operatively
connected to the
surgical fastener cartridge 200 to move the surgical fastener cartridge 200
towards the anvil
4012, which remains stationary, and capture tissue therebetween. Thereafter,
the handle 4002 is
moved to advance a pusher bar distally through the elongated portion 4004 to
cause
corresponding movement of a head portion included at the distal end of the
pusher bar. The head
portion includes a plurality of fingers extending distally therefrom that are
configured and
dimensioned to engage the cartridge assembly to thereby discharge the
plurality of surgical
fasteners retained therein. Upon discharge, the surgical fasteners are driven
through the tissue
and into the anvil 4012 for formation.
[0091] It is also
envisioned that the tool assembly 1006 (FIG. 1) may also be adapted for
use with any of the other surgical fastener applying apparatus discussed in
commonly owned
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,045,560; 5,964,394; 5,894,979; 5,878,937; 5,915,616;
5,836,503; 5,865,361;
5,862,972; 5,817,109; 5,797,538; and 5,782,396
[0092] In additional
embodiments of the present disclosure, the surgical fastener
applying apparatus may include a plurality of cam bars for interacting with
the pushers to deploy
the surgical fasteners. For example, the surgical fastener applying apparatus
disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 5,318,221 has a cam bar adapter that
holds a plurality of cam bars and a knife. A channel is
CA 02664995 2016-02-12
advanced through operation oldie handle of the apparatus, which drives the
caxa bars and knife
forward. A clamp tube that surrounds the proximal end of the anvil is advanced
to clamp the
anvil and cartridge together. In another example, the surgical fastener
applying apparatus
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,782,396 has an actuation sled.
An elongated drive beam is advanced
distally through operation of the handle of the apparatus, driving the
actuation sled forward. The
distal end of the drive beam engages the anvil and the channel that supports
the cartridge as the
drive beam travels distally, to deploy the staples and clamp the anvil and
cartridge together.
[00931 In a further
embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional
view of a tool assembly 2004 having an anvil member 2100 and cartridge
assembly 2200. The
fastener retention slots 2216 in the outer rows are sized to allow the
surgical fasteners 100 to exit
the slots 2216 at an angle. The anvil member 2100 has a plurality of fonning
recesses 2316 for
each slot 2216, to ensure formation of the fastener at one or more angled
positions with respect
to the vertical axis "Z-Z" of the surgical fastener cartridge 2202. The
fastener retention slots
2216 in the inner rows, adjacent the longitudinal knife slot 2217 of the
surgical fastener cartridge
2202, are sized so that the surgical fasteners 100 exit the retention slots
2216 in a substantially
vertical orientation, i.e., along the vertical axis "Z-Z," or at a smaller
angle with respect to the
vertical axis "Z-Z," as compared to the surgical fasteners 100 in the outer
rows of fastener
retention slots 2216. The surgical fasteners 100 in each row of fastener
retention slots 2216 may
be the same size, or alternatively, the surgical fasteners 100 in the in the
outer rows of fastener
retention slots 2216 may be larger in size when compared to the surgical
fasteners 100 in the
inner rows of fastener retention slots 2216. For example, the surgical
fasteners 100 in the in the
outer rows of fastener retention slots 2216 may have longer leg lengths when
compared to those
31
CA 02664995 2016-02-12
of the surgical fasteners 100 in the inner rows of fastener retention slots
2216. The tendency of
tissue to extrude in a laterally outward direction with respect to the
cartridge body 2202 will
encourage the surgical fasteners 100 to angle outwardly, as shown in FIG. 16.
[00941 In certain embodiments, the anvil member 2100 is comprised of a
plurality of
plates 2130, each having defined therein forming recesses 2316, as shown in
FIGS. 17 and 18.
The plates 2130 are attached to one another so as to form the anvil member
2100, e.g., via
lamination. The forming recesses 2316 may be arranged so that more than one
forming recess
2316 corresponds to a fastener retention slot 2216. In this way, a surgical
fastener 100 exiting a
fastener retention slot 2216 will be directed into, and formed by, one of the
forming recess 2316,
whether the surgical fastener 100 exits the fastener retention slot 2216 in a
substantially vertical,
or angled, fashion.
[00951 The above description, disclosure, and figures should not be
construed as limiting,
but merely as exemplary of particular embodiments. It is to be understood,
therefore, that the
disclosure is not limited to the precise embodiments described, and that
various other changes
and modifications may be effected by one skilled in the art. Additionally,
those skilled
in the art will appreciate that the elements and features illustrated or
described in connection
with one embodiment can be combined with those of another. The scope of the
claims should not
be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth herein, but should be given
the broadest
interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
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